It’s fairly common for players to change numbers when a new teammate joins, but it’s pretty rare for a mascot. But that’s exactly what Hunter the Lynx will have to do with the Edmonton Oilers.
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With the arrival of the Arizona Coyotes’ Nick Bjugstad on Thursday, the Big Cat had his number 72 jersey stolen. The 30-year-old veteran will be the first Oilers hockey player to wear the jersey. He previously had 27 with the Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Minnesota Wild and 17 with Arizona.
Bjugstad joined the National Hockey League in 2013 and has more experience than Hunter, having appeared for the Oilers on October 12, 2016. The mascot, named after the franchise’s first owner, Bill Hunter, wore the 72 in connection with the year the team was founded.
When usually whoever gives up their number out of respect is rewarded with a luxury watch or gift of the kind, Bjugstad has to find an alternative. On his profile page on the Oilers website, Hunter says he enjoys “fishing, sleeping, chasing yarn balls, scratching scratching posts and playing ping-pong.” Here are some ideas for the middle player…
“We have to agree, my daughters love mascots so we’re going to show her some love,” the newcomer said, according to the Oilers Twitter account.
In Montreal nobody risks taking over the number one day! by Yuppi.